The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School kindergarten students donated 75 care kits to the Downtown Mission on Friday. Pictured with the students are Afshin Ali, Development Officer for Special Events, and Rukshini Goulin, Director of Development, of the Downtown Mission. They were pleased to pick up the donations to distribute them to those in need.

by Sylene Argent

The Kindergarten students at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School have been learning about the importance of sharing and caring, and they demonstrated just how much they have learned as they were able to help collect enough items to provide 75 care kits to the Downtown Mission of Windsor.

The students, their parents, teachers, and a handful of corporate sponsors, contributed items to the care kits. Each kit included sunscreen, moisturizer, chap stick, tissues, a pair of socks, a bottle of water, deodorant, granola bars, shampoo, toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpaste.

Each of the students also created a greeting card, which were made in hopes of brightening up the day of the individuals who receives the care package and send the message they are cared about.

Afshin Ali, Development Officer for Special Events, and Rukshini Goulin, Director of Development, for the Downtown Mission, were pleased to speak to the students on Friday to let them know how much their donation was appreciated and to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of those who will receive a care kit.

“These bags will show people in the Downtown Mission there are people out there who care for them,” Goulin said.

Ali and Goulin further explained to the youngsters the Downtown Mission helps people when they are homeless or in need of assistance in finding a job.

At the Downtown Mission, individuals in need can receive food, toiletries, and other essentials. They explained to the students the individuals who utilize the Downtown Mission’s Services are called “guests.”

Those guests can pick up non-perishables at the food bank, get a meal inside the dining hall, receive hygiene items, and a place to sleep as it has enough space to accommodate 103 individuals.

The dining hall can also double as a hangout when it becomes too hot or too cold to be outdoors.

They also explained there is a nursing station onsite where guests can get help with minor issues, like cold or flu symptoms and foot care.

Sometimes the people they serve are not homeless, but need assistance moving ahead in life. Some of its services can help those individuals look for an apartment or provide them access to a computer when they need to fill out an application. Job training programs are also available.